13 Places for Cross Country Skiing in the Twin Cities 2024

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Looking for the best places to go cross-country skiing in the Twin Cities?

One of my favorite ways to embrace the cold of a Minnesota winter is to go skiing. I grew up with trails in my backyard and we would always go out and wander around. We would even bring my dog who bounded through the snow like a deer.

The Twin Cities area is packed with places to enjoy the outdoors, even in winter. Many of the local parks have groomed trails for use, and some even rent skis.

In this post, I’ll share some of the best places to go cross country skiing in the metro area.

Cross Country Skiing in the Twin Cities

My mom making her way through a snow covered field while cross county skiing in the Twin Cities.

1. Theodore Wirth Regional Park

Trails: 23 km/14 miles
Rentals Offered: Yes
Ski Pass Required: Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Ski Pass

One of the best places to get outdoors in Minneapolis and St. Paul is Theodore Wirth Regional Park. Located right in the middle of Minneapolis, this beautiful park has a huge variety of ski trails for people of all skill levels.

My favorite trail is the Quaking Bog Trail, which is great for beginner skiers. I tend to stick to beginner-friendly trails since there are fewer hills.

But there are over a dozen miles of trails to explore, so if you’re advanced, you can find a more difficult trail too.

Most of the trails are groomed and are lit, but there are also some that are snowy, so if you prefer to ski off of groomed trails, you can do that too.

A field covered in snow with trees lining the edge of it.

2. Como Park Ski Center

Trails: 6.7 km/4.1 miles
Rentals Offered: Yes
Ski Pass Required: Ramsey County Ski Pass

If you want to learn how to cross country ski, then Como Park Ski Center is the best place to do it. There are a variety of easy, lit trails for beginners.

You can even take a lesson to learn how to properly ski from an expert, which can help you get started before you go off on your own.

Once you’ve taken the ropes, there are also a few intermediate and advanced trails that you can try out for a bit more of a challenge.

Como Park Ski Center is right in St. Paul, so it’s easy to get to for a day, and there are also trails for snowshoeing and a sledding hill, if you want to check out other winter activities.

3. Hiawatha Regional Park

Trails: 4.1 km/2.5 miles
Rentals Offered: No
Ski Pass Required: Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Ski Pass

Beginners and intermediate skiers looking to hit the trails near Minneapolis should plan a visit to Hiawatha Regional Park. The trails here are aimed at these skill levels.

This trail system is run by the same company that operates the Theodore Wirth trails, so the purchase of one ski pass will cover you here too.

There are two entrance points to the trail, and you can make one big loop if you’re up for it. I did this last year, and it was actually really great. I thought I would struggle with the distance, but it was so beautiful that I didn’t even notice.

Local’s Tip: If you want to get the hang of skiing before getting on the trail, check out Hiawatha Regional Park’s practice area. It’s wide open and is a great place to brush up on your skills!

A field with many trees on the edge covered in snow, seen on a Twin Cities cross country ski trail.

4. Chain of Lakes Regional Park

Trails: 8 km/5 miles
Rentals Offered: No
Ski Pass Required: Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Ski Pass

Located right next to the Theodore Wirth Regional Park ski trails, the Chain of Lakes Regional Park makes for another great place to get out this winter.

This is the perfect place for beginners, as the trails are pretty flat and will allow you to really practice those skills!

One of the best trails within the park is the one that connects and loops around Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, and Lake of the Isles. These are some of the most popular lakes in Minneapolis, and it’s fun to see them in winter.

Plus, the trails do connect to Theodore Wirth Regional Park, so you can go even further if you want to.

A field of snow covered trees from when it starts snowing in Minnesota.

5. Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Trails: 25 km+/16 miles+
Rentals Offered: Yes
Ski Pass Required: Dakota County Park Trails Pass

There are a couple of places in Lebanon Hills Regional Park for both classic and skate cross country skiing.

Jensen Lake, Hollan Lake and the trailhead at the visitor center are the places designated for classic skiing, and the West Trailhead is reserved for skate skiing.

I really love getting out on the trails here because while it’s only a 30-minute drive from Minneapolis, it feels like I’ve gone much further. The trees and woods that surround the park are perfect and make it feel like a forest!

Snow-covered trees in a field in Minnesota during winter.

6. Elm Creek Park Reserve

Trails: 18 km/11 miles
Rentals Offered: Yes
Ski Pass Required: Three River Parks District Pass

The winter recreation area within Elm Creek Park has pretty much everything you could imagine to have a fun day spent outside, from cross country ski trails near Minneapolis to a tubing hill and beginner downhill skiing.

The trails are groomed for both classic and skate-style skiing. Some of the trails are lit, so you can go later at night, and some have snowmaking for days when we don’t get much snow.

I also appreciate that they offer lessons for cross country skiing, so if you aren’t entirely sure how to get started, you can try the lessons to get the hang of it.

More snowy trees in a field seen while cross country skiing in Minneapolis.

7. Fort Snelling State Park

Trails: 11 km/6.8 miles
Rentals Offered: No
Ski Pass Required: Great Minnesota Ski Pass

Because Fort Snelling State Park is located right in St. Paul, it’s a favorite place to go when you don’t want to drive too far to reach a trailhead. There are plenty of opportunities for skiing, and you’ll be right along the Mississippi River.

Wildlife is commonly seen in this area, which is one of my favorite parts of getting out on the trails. I find it easier to see wildlife in winter and I always look for packed snow where deer have laid.

There’s a really great loop trail that goes around Pike Island, where the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers come together. It’s open only for cross country and is really pretty.

Local’s Tip: All Minnesota State Parks require either an annual or daily state park pass! Be sure to order one online before you go to save yourself time.

8. Afton State Park

Trails: 19 km/12 miles
Rentals Offered: No
Ski Pass Required: Great Minnesota Ski Pass

The area around Afton and Hastings is popular during all seasons of the year, due to its proximity to the St. Croix River Valley. Afton State Park is my favorite park near the Twin Cities.

There are 12 miles of groomed trails to check out within the park that roll through hundreds of trees and open prairies. Most trails are intermediate, but there are some beginner ones too.

One unique part of Afton is that there are quite a few hills in the park, so for my skiers out there who love hills, this is the place for you! I totally get it, because even though I’m not advanced, I still love to soar down a hill.

I love Afton State Park so much because it feels worlds away from Minneapolis. It’s quiet and covered by trees, but is still just a short drive from the Twin Cities.

A path leading through a forest of trees that you can take to go skiing.

9. Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

Trails: 15 km/9 miles
Rentals Offered: No
Ski Pass Required: Three River Parks District Pass

Another of the Three River Parks District parks is Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, which is a great place for year-round recreation but is particularly great in winter.

The trails here are challenging and should be left to the more advanced skier. They’re filled with steep uphills and downhills that will pose more of a challenge to beginners.

Each of the trails are groomed and designated just for cross country skiers, so you won’t have to worry about running into snowshoers or hikers. Although there are other places in the park for these activities.

A path covered with snow and surrounded by bright snowy trees.

10. Bunker Hills Regional Park

Trails: 20 km/12.4 miles
Rentals Offered: Yes
Ski Pass Required: Great Minnesota Ski Pass

Located in Andover, about 30 minutes north of Minneapolis, is Bunker Hills Regional Park.

Over 12 miles of groomed ski trails are available to the public, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced. There are some hills out there on the trails, but most of the areas are pretty flat.

There are trails that are groomed for both classic and skate skiing, as well as a few miles of trail for skijoring.

The tops of white, snow-covered trees against a blue sky.

11. Carver Park Reserve

Trails: 18 km/11.3 miles
Rentals Offered: Yes
Ski Pass Required: Three River Parks District Pass

Another area of the Three Rivers Park District, along with Murphy-Hanrehan and Elm Creek, is the Carver Park Reserve.

This is such a fun area because there are so many lakes around and you’ll get to truly experience what Minnesota is all about, since we have over 10,000 lakes.

Just over 11 miles of trails are available and groomed for both classic and skate skiing.

I really love the trails here because there are some beautiful overlooks to enjoy as you ski past them. Be sure to pay attention so you don’t miss them!

The sun setting beyond a snow-covered field surrounded by trees.

12. Hyland Lake Park Reserve

Trails: 15.4 km/9.5 miles
Rentals Offered: Yes
Ski Pass Required: Three River Parks District Pass

In total, the Three Rivers Park District has over 80 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails in the Twin Cities that are available to the public. Hyland Park Reserve is another of the parks to check out.

Here there are almost 10 miles of total trails, and about half of those are lit so you can still use them after dark. Which is early, since we know the sun sets early in winter.

The trails here are more suited for intermediate and advanced skiers, including a few that are double black diamonds!

A ski hill during the Minnesota winter seen from cross country skiing Twin Cities.

13. William O’Brien State Park

Trails: 38.6 km/24 miles
Rentals: No
Pass Required: Great Minnesota Ski Pass

William O’Brien State Park is a bit further away than some of the others on this list, about 50 minutes north of Minneapolis. But this gives those who live in the northern suburbs a chance to hit the trails.

This park is found on the St. Croix River, which has incredible views of the river bluffs, so it’s pretty unique when compared to other trails through forests in Minnesota.

A heated visitor center is open year-round at the park, so you can head in and warm up if you need to! I always need to warm up while skiing because my feet and fingers get really cold, really fast.

Passes for Twin Cities Cross Country Skiing

There are quite a few passes out there that are required if you’re hoping to cross country ski near Minneapolis and St. Paul. These help to cover the costs of maintenance.

I’m going to go over some of the passes that you might need, so you have the right one and don’t get in trouble while you’re out enjoying the trail.

Great Minnesota Ski Pass

This pass covers all cross country ski trails in Minnesota State Parks and Minnesota State Forests. You’ll need one of these if you’re over the age of 16!

You can either get an annual pass (that’s what I recommend! It saves you money!) or a daily one for each day you spend on the trail.

Three River Parks District Pass

If you’re skiing in any of the Three Rivers Parks, you’ll need this pass, which can be purchased either annually or daily.

A few of the parks in this district include Carver, Baker, Cleary, Elm Creek, Hyland Lake, and Murphy-Hanrehan.

Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Ski Pass

For any trails in the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation District, you’ll need this ski pass. This includes trails at Theodore Wirth, Hiawatha Golf Course, and Chain of Lakes.

Two options are available. One is for all access to every trail in the parks, and the other is for natural snow, which only includes access to ungroomed trails.

Dakota County Pass

For any trails in Dakota County, you’ll need the Dakota County Ski Pass. It can either be purchased daily or annually, and covers Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Ramsey County Pass

Similarly to the Dakota County Pass, the Ramsey County Pass covers any parks in Ramsey County, like the Como Park Ski Center. Get one either annually or daily.

Tips for Going Cross Country Skiing

Before hitting the trail this winter, be sure that you have the right pass. There are a few different ones required at different parks. Read the section above to figure out which one you need.
Bundle up because winters in Minnesota are cold and you don’t want to end up with frostbite. I always wear layers and take off what I don’t need.
Use Skinny Ski to check trail conditions and learn more about the cross-country ski trails in the Twin Cities.
Download a map for the ski trails before heading out to ensure that you’re able to stay on track.

Where to Rent Cross Country Skis

There are many places in the Twin Cities that rent cross-country ski gear, so don’t worry if you don’t have your own.

First of all, I recommend checking with the location that you’re visiting, as many of the areas on this list offer rentals. Theodore Wirth Park, Three Rivers Park District, and Bunker Hills Regional Park are a few of them.

If none of those places have them available, check with the Bloomington REI, since they also rent skis out to people wanting to try the sport.

You can also check at your local Goodwill or other thrift stores, because many of them have sets of skis for a pretty affordable price!

The Wrap-Up

Getting out and embracing the cold season is the best way to spend a Minnesota winter, and going cross country skiing is one of the easiest ways to do that!

If you’re near the Twin Cities, you’re in luck because there are dozens of trails around Minneapolis and St. Paul that you can get out on the trail. Just grab your gear, and go!

If you want to get out and check out another great place for skiing, there are some pretty great cross country skiing trails in Duluth, just waiting to be ridden on!

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